Top 7 Sensory Room Items for Elementary Schools

7 sensory room ideas for elementary schools

Sensory rooms in elementary schools are used to promote calm, support sensory integration and provide a therapeutic setting. Often, sensory rooms are designed to include different zones, such as an active zone, a calming zone and an interactive zone, so that different needs and skills can be addressed. 

Sensory-seeking kids can bounce and jump rhythmically or climb along a wall to get the sensory input they crave. Kids experiencing sensory overload can wrap themselves in a body sock for calming proprioceptive input and gaze at visually soothing sensory tools such as bubble tubes or fiber optic fountains to reduce stress and self-regulate. Interactive equipment is ideal in the therapeutic setting, inviting kids to engage with their environment. 

Creating a sensory room at school can benefit all kids, but especially kids with autism, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, ADHD or other special needs. Design your room thoughtfully, and you’ll be rewarded with a sensory room that enriches the school day for kids with a wide range of needs. As you consider different sensory room items, think about the kids who will be using this space. Many sensory room items are versatile and can support kids of different abilities. 

What are the most popular sensory room items for an Elementary School?

1. Gel Floor Tiles

Colorful and durable, Gel Floor Tiles invite kids to step, press and jump. Kids are fascinated by the oozing colors, and teachers are delighted by the versatility of these fun tiles. Use them for gross motor work and sensory exploration or as spot markers. 

2. Squeezie Seat

The comfy SensaSoft Squeezie Seat is a supportive seat that kids can use to find a just right seating position. Kids can also straddle the seat and rock back and forth, for proprioceptive and vestibular input. Soft, cheery and easy to wipe down, it’s an innovative seating choice.

3. Compression Cozy Canoe

The inflatable compression Cozy Canoe provides incredibly soothing deep pressure. Kids can settle in and find a position that feels just right to them. The playful boat shape inspires the imagination. Kids can climb in and rock to develop motor planning skills and balance reactions.

4. Play Barrel

Kids can roll, push and climb with the SensaSoftTM  Play Barrel. Therapists, teachers and kids will all have ideas for using the Play Barrel for creative gross motor fun. Pretend it’s a tunnel, imagine you’re riding over a waterfall in the barrel or curl up inside as if it’s a cave.

5. Bubble Tubes

Mesmerizing Bubble Tubes lend an aura of calm to your sensory room. Kids love to watch the ever-changing colors and soothing bubbles, which can help achieve improved attention, auditory awareness, focus, visual tracking and interaction. 

6. Peanut Balls

A Peanut Ball offers all the movement of an exercise ball with the additional support of a contoured saddle seat. Kids can bounce rhythmically to organize their sensory systems, or roll gently back and forth to self-regulate. The Peanut Ball offers vestibular input along with opportunities to build core stability and balance reactions, so it supports therapeutic goals too.

7. Break Boxes

Our Break Boxes are packed with a selection of our most popular sensory tools. From fidgets for busy fingers to headphones for those with auditory sensitivities, from body socks for proprioceptive input to Discovery Putty for fine motor work, therapists and kids revel in the sensory possibilities.